TikTok SEO: Unlock the Next Wave of Traffic Growth
Learn how to leverage TikTok’s algorithm and search optimization tools to stand out in the competitive landscape.
Leverage TikTok’s Algorithm for Better Content Ranking with proven SEO strategies.
In the first half of 2024, TikTok saw an average monthly download of 81.73 million worldwide, a 6.6% year-over-year increase.
With a massive user base and highly engaging content, more content creators and brands are focusing on how to leverage TikTok to drive both brand awareness and sales growth. While TikTok’s counterpart in China, Douyin, has developed a relatively mature ecosystem with well-established methodologies, TikTok’s search is still in its early stages. However, it is expected to evolve similarly and become one of the primary traffic sources.
TikTok SEO Overview
TikTok SEO (Search Engine Optimization) might sound like a concept rooted in traditional search engines, but it is just as applicable to TikTok’s short-video ecosystem. TikTok SEO is not just about improving your ranking in the platform’s search results, but also about making your content stand out among your competitors’ videos, capturing and retaining the attention of your target audience.
The core of TikTok SEO lies in understanding and leveraging the platform’s algorithm. TikTok’s algorithm is highly intelligent, using multi-dimensional data such as user interests, behaviors, and interaction history to personalize content recommendations for each user. Thus, the key to TikTok SEO is creating high-quality, highly relevant content while strategically using hashtags, titles, descriptions, captions, music, and other elements. This makes it easier for the algorithm to recognize and recommend your video to interested audience.
TikTok SEO Platform Rules
When uploading a video on TikTok, the platform analyzes various elements such as visuals, native text (including captions, descriptions, and titles), and hashtags to index the video. The video’s ranking is determined not only by these textual elements but also by its relevance, engagement rate, and the user’s search queries.
Strategic Use of Hashtags
TikTok allows creators to add several keywords as hashtags that relate to the video’s content. These hashtags offer significant potential for SEO optimization, allowing creators to more precisely target their audience and improve the search ranking of their videos.
How can you effectively use hashtags in short videos?
1. Learn from Competitor Accounts:
Study the hashtag strategies of successful competitor accounts, particularly those with a moderate followers, as their strategies may be more relevant. Analyze their hashtag usage in terms of quantity, scope, and frequency.
2. Traffic Video Hashtag Strategy:
Combine account-specific tags, extension tags, and trending tags to expand the reach of your video. For instance, if your video is about a family painting activity, you might use tags like #FamilyFun, #ArtProject, and #CreativeTime.
3. E-Commerce Video Hashtag Strategy:
For e-commerce-related videos, use category-specific tags, target region tags, descriptive tags, and extension tags to attract more targeted traffic. For example, if you are promoting a product in the U.S., you could use #USA, #AmericanMade, or #NYCShopping.
4. Choosing the Right Number of Hashtags:
Based on experience, 5-8 hashtags are considered ideal. This ensures content diversity without overcrowding the video itself.
Strategies to Improve TikTok Search Ranking
1. Focused Content Creation in a Specific Niche
To rank higher in TikTok search results, creators should focus on producing consistent content within a specific niche. By choosing a particular area of interest and creating original, valuable content around it, not only you will increase the relevance of your videos, but you will also attract a long-term, dedicated audience in that niche. Continuously producing niche-specific content is the key to boosting your ranking.
2. Use of Original Audio and Keywords
TikTok SEO also relies on the strategic use of audio and keywords in videos. Creators can increase their chances of being recommended by TikTok’s algorithm by incorporating original audio and keywords relevant to their niche. Additionally, integrating keywords into video titles, descriptions, and hashtags can further enhance search engine visibility.
3. New TikTok Search Tool: Content Insight Tool
TikTok’s newly launched Content Insight Tool is a powerful resource for creators looking to boost their search rankings. This tool allows creators to search relevant keywords, analyze their performance on the platform, estimate potential viewership, and identify content gaps or opportunities.
For example, if you search for the keyword “Autumn outfits,” you can see related trending content and choose suitable keywords based on the dropdown suggestions. By creating videos that meet these search demands, you can fill market gaps and gain exposure where competition is lower. This method helps creators gain more exposure and engagement with less competition.
Factors Affecting TikTok Search Rankings
Several factors affect TikTok’s search rankings under its latest algorithm:
1. Using Search Terms as Hooks:
A captivating introduction (or hook) can significantly boost a video’s ranking. Including search terms in the video’s opening can better capture audiences’ attention and increase watch time, which positively impacts the algorithm’s recommendations.
2. Mixing Short and Long Videos:
TikTok encourages creators to produce a mix of short and long videos. This caters to different audience needs and preferences. Short videos are great for quickly grabbing attention, while longer videos can provide more in-depth content.
3. High-Quality Thumbnails and Titles:
Thumbnails and titles play a critical role in a video’s click-through rate. TikTok’s search rankings are influenced by both the video’s click-through rate and its completion rate, making high-quality, engaging thumbnails and titles essential.
4. Matrix Account Strategy:
TikTok SEO can also be enhanced through matrix account operations, where a primary account is supported by multiple sub-accounts, expanding the audience base. By employing a multi-account strategy, brands can optimize keyword usage and create a comprehensive content strategy to maximize SEO benefits. This approach significantly boosts brand exposure and influence on TikTok, driving continuous growth in commercial value.
As TikTok continues to grow, refine its platform features, and expand into new markets, creators will have more opportunities to improve their search rankings, gain followers, and monetize their content. If any business is interested in opening a TikTok account or Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), feel free to reach out to the OctoPlus Media team.
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